Brit troops sent to Mali

You have to use irregulars to fight irregulars, using irregular methods, habits and if necessary, appearance.

I think that this is the means by which small, ‘brush’ wars of the future will be fought successfully by Western powers.

I believe that we should expand our irregular forces at the expense of our regulars. We also need plenty of Arabic speakers.

It’s a waste of time, effort and money to use a Eurofighter technology against a bicycle technology.

I hear what you’re saying, but how often after equipping irregular forces do the powers that did the equipping, find themselves up against the same forces that they equipped and trained?.

You have to use irregulars to fight irregulars, using irregular methods, habits and if necessary, appearance.

I think that this is the means by which small, ‘brush’ wars of the future will be fought successfully by Western powers.

I believe that we should expand our irregular forces at the expense of our regulars. We also need plenty of Arabic speakers.

It’s a waste of time, effort and money to use a Eurofighter technology against a bicycle technology.

Silver Fox

Err, I think that you missed the target by a wide margin!

Just commenting, somewhat tongue in cheek granted, but you did say not to use regular Army to fight irregulars, who do you sugest?

At a time when our military expenditure is being slashed to bits, I don’t think we are in a position to field something like the LRDG of WW2 or the present day specialist troops from the SAS, or possibly a locally recruited guerilla type force, not unknown for these types guerilla forces to work to their agenda.

Silver Fox

Err, I think that you missed the target by a wide margin!

Chaps,

If we maintain a professional, standing Army, it simply has to fight – now and again, otherwise it becomes useless. Pick the opposition carefully, make sure you’ve got a ‘get out’ clause and don’t fight alongside the Yanks.

What we haven’t yet taken on board is that you do not use soldiers of the regular Army to fight irregulars.

Who do sugest we use? G4S with their casual labour, minimum wage, workforce who may or may not turn up.

Chaps,

If we maintain a professional, standing Army, it simply has to fight – now and again, otherwise it becomes useless. Pick the opposition carefully, make sure you’ve got a ‘get out’ clause and don’t fight alongside the Yanks.

What we haven’t yet taken on board is that you do not use soldiers of the regular Army to fight irregulars.

I didn’t think the United Kingdom had any troops on-the-ground in Mali yet?

I believe RAF Regiment have been there as Force Protection for the C17

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/mission-to-mali-the-mirror-flies-on-british-1559737

What is with politicians? selective memory or plain stupidity?

We will put no boots on the ground, there already are, with more to go, none combat troops only, advisors and training personnel only, just remind me now, Vietnam, maybe my old brain is loosing it, but weren’t the first American troops “advisors”.

In the meantime let’s just fire actual combat troops, no need for all these soldiers of course :rolleyes:

Yes, Your right about Vietnam, they were sent as advisors in the first place, and look what happened there.They were also sent to train their army.
Jim.
Lincoln .7

And a lot safer, and less costly, I agree.
Jim.
Lincoln .7

…there is a Senior Army Officer, and 4 squaddies in an African game reserve, to help to keep poachers away from the animals?

I’d rather have our troops there than in Afghanistan; much more worthwhile…..and a chance of success!

Local “Calendar” news, about 3 or 4 yrs ago now, it was only on there as one of the Squaddies was from our area.I don’t know if they are still there, but, however, that’s the Gospel truth, as at the time I thought it was rather a “Cushtie job” as Del Boy would say,:)
Jim.
Lincoln .7

Did you know, “And a lot of people don’t” that there is a Senior Army Officer, and 4 squaddies in an African game reserve, to help to keep poachers away from the animals?.
What next, meals on wheels for us old gits:)
Jim.
Lincoln .7

What’s your source for that, Linc? Just interested….

CD.
Warren, He was a Brit, it was complete ie with the barrel fitted. They are on the ground.
Cameron stated, (Lied again) that we woud ONLY be sending aircraft to assist in the movement of supplies, I now hear we have a “Spy in the sky AWAC” also.
I would love to be a fly on the wall at some of these meetings, shame I wont be around in 30 yrs, to find out.
Our troops are too thinly streached.

Did you know, “And a lot of people don’t” that there is a Senior Army Officer, and 4 squaddies in an African game reserve, to help to keep poachers away from the animals?.
What next, meals on wheels for us old gits:)
Jim.
Lincoln .7

This was on the ITV news last night? The soldier checking the 50cal (without the barrel fitted)? I tried to find the footage but couldn’t but I thought he was French.

I didn’t think the United Kingdom had any troops on-the-ground in Mali yet?

Warren. They were Brits, not French!! If things “Kick off” and our so called advisors are forced to defend themselves, what do they do to the enemy, throw, rotten eggs at them?.
Of coarse they have weapons with them, ever known us enter ANY battle zone completely unarmed?, or without any backup?.
Jim.
Lincoln .7

If only you were as good at identifying uniforms…

…as you were at identifying weapons. The French use the 50cal machine-gun too. 😉

(Isn’t it incredible that the Browning M2 50cal is still in such widespread frontline use today; this weapon was first produced in 1921!)

None Combat my Ar**, then why did I see 50cal, guns on tripods being unloaded???????.

It’s about time WE had a 2nd Amendment like the States, as out Government has certainly turned inwards regarding his, DCs never ending lies.
Jim.
Lincoln .7

What is with politicians? selective memory or plain stupidity?

We will put no boots on the ground, there already are, with more to go, none combat troops only, advisors and training personnel only, just remind me now, Vietnam, maybe my old brain is loosing it, but weren’t the first American troops “advisors”.

In the meantime let’s just fire actual combat troops, no need for all these soldiers of course :rolleyes:

CMD said there would be “no boots on the ground” a couple of days ago. What are they wearing then? carpet slippers or flip flops?